Kim Kyu-jong"Kim Kyu Jong Official Site (more detailed information on menu)" .Retrieved June 15, 2013. (; born February 24, 1987) is a South Korean entertainer, actor, and a member of boyband SS501. He made his musical debut in Goong: Musical,"SS501's Kim Kyu Jong reveals his ‘Prince Charming’ look for “Goong” musical" .korea.com.Retrieved June 15, 2013. playing the lead role of Lee Shin, and debut as a solo artist in September 2011 with his mini album Turn Me On."SS501's Kim Kyu Jong reveals MV for "Yesterday"".Allkpop.Retrieved June 15, 2013.
Early life Kim Kyu Jong was born on February 24, 1987, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. His family consists of his parents and a younger sister, Kim Eun-ah."김규종".Last.fm.Retrieved June 15, 2013.
He studied at Baekje Arts College, and applied music.
Career 2005-2009: SS501 Debut
Kim Kyu Jong debuted as a member of SS501 on June 8, 2005, along with their debut album entitled Warning."DSP Media History" .DSPmedia.Retrieved June 16, 2013.http://global.mnet.com/kstar/46210/kyujong-kim/video Retrieved. February 18, 2013 Their second mini album, Snow Prince was released in late 2005, five months after their debut.SS501. Snow Prince. 2005. CD. During this time, they already established their official fan club name, "Triple S", and its color, pearl green.Interview. SS501 2nd Fanmeeting & Triple S Fan Club Establishment. YTN Star News. Seoul, December 19, 2005. Television. The group earned popularity right away as they won many rookie awards after their debut.
He started his acting career with a role in Mnet hip-hop music drama Break on May 11, 2006."[drama 2006] Break 브레이크" Retrieved. February 18, 2013 Kim, along with the members of SS501, except for Heo Young-Saeng who was recovering from surgery, lent their voices to the Korean version of the 2006 animated film Pi's Story.
On August 21, 2006, when fellow member Heo Young-Saeng left the radio programme SS501's Youngstreet on Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) due to a throat condition requiring laryngeal surgery, he took over being the DJ,"SS501, The Main Vocal Concert Heo Young Saeng Laryngeal Surgery Postponed" Sports Seoul. March 7, 2006. Retrieved October 31, 2011 and continued to host the programme with fellow member Park Jung-min.
SS501 soon promoted their first studio album S.T 01 Now."DSP Discography 2006" .Retrieved June 18, 2013.SS501. ST 01 Now. 2006. CD. In late 2007, they expanded their activities in the Japanese market to challenge themselves outside Korea with the release of their Japanese single Kokoro,"Kokoro (Normal Edition)(Japan Version)".YesAsia.Retrieved June 18, 2013. along with the establishment of "Triple S Japan". After the single debuted at #5, they had 2 more successful releases in Japan entitled Distance and SS501. In around one year in Japan, they received the Newcomer Award by Japan Gold Disc Award in January 2008; this was the first time for Korean artists to receive this award."The 22nd Japan Gold Disk Award 2008" Retrieved March 5, 2013
Having built their foundation as artists in both countries, they continually released singles and albums back-and-forth such as Deja Vu in Korea"DSP Discography 2008" .Retrieved June 18, 2013. and Lucky Days in Japan, both released in 2008. However, they stopped their activities as a group for a period of time as Park Jung-Min and Kim Hyun-Joong were given solo projects for Grease musical Joongang Daily. July 29, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2011 and Boys Over Flowers seriesBoys Over Flowers. Dir. Ki-sang Jun. Perf. Ku Hye-sun, Lee Min-ho, Kim Hyun Joong, Kim Bum, and Kim Joon. 2009. TV Series. respectively. Yet, the three remaining members, with Heo as the leader, continued to promote, dubbed as the SS501 Project Group. They released a project album named U R Man in November 2008, with high tempo dance title track "UR Man".SS501. U R Man. 2008. CD. They also contributed to the Boys Over Flowers soundtrack with "내 머리가 나빠서" (Because I'm Stupid), Yesasia.com Boys Over Flowers Original Soundtrack: Part 1 album info January 23, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2013 and appeared as a cameo in episode four, performing their track "U R Man". The track won Song of the Month for February at the 32nd Cyworld Digital Music Awards on March 28, 2009,"2NE1 dominates at 2009 Cyworld Digital Music Awards" Retrieved. February 18, 2013 as well as the Best OST of the year during the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards."2009 M.net Korean Music Festival Winners list" . MAMA. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
On November 21, 2008, Kim joined as one of the regular hosts on MBC's God Of Cookery Expedition.http://www.jpopasia.com/forums/posts-in/artist-kim-kyu-jong-ss501::21::12061::1 Retrieved. February 18, 2013 In 2009-2010, SS501 released All My Love,SS501. All My Love. 2009. CD. Solo Collection,SS501. Solo Collection. 2009. CD. Rebirth, and DestinationSS501. Destination. 2010. CD. consecutively before their contracts ended. Kim wrote the lyrics for his solo track, "Never Let You Go", as well as the lyrics for his part of "완.두.콩." (Green Peas), a song written for their fans.SS501. Rebirth. 2009. CD.
2010-2011: Leaving DSP Media and solo debut In June 2010, upon the expiration of SS501's contract with DSP Media, Kim along with fellow band member Heo, signed with B2M Entertainment, the agency of former DSP Media singer Lee Hyori, to embark on his solo career.Hong, Lucia "Kim Kyu-jong, Heo Young-saeng to sign with new agency" 10 Asia. October 14, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2011 Later on, Kim and Heo held a joint fan meeting, Kyu Jong & Young Saeng Story In Seoul on December 4, which continued in Hong Kong, Japan and countries across Asia."김규종 SS501 앨범은 내년쯤 계획" Nate News. December 4, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2011"김규종 "SS501 음반은 다음해로 계획 中" 발표" Nate News. December 4, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2011
Kim made his musical theatre debut in Goong: Musical (뮤지컬 궁), a spin-off of the television drama, in Korea."Kim Kyu Jong reminisces over SS501's debut days + confirmed for 'Goong' musical".Allkpop.Retrieved June 15, 2013. He took over the role of male lead Lee Shin, from U-Know Yunho of TVXQ. He performed this musical at Minami-za in Kyoto, Japan from June 11 to July 1,Kim, Heidi "SS501 Kim Kyu-jong to star in musical 'Goong'" 10 Asia. April 12, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011 and subsequently in Seoul, Korea in September 2011.
On September 27, 2011, he released his debut solo mini album, Turn Me On with "Yesterday" as its title trackKim Kyu Jong. Turn Me On. 2011. CD. It features a rap part by Heo Young-saeng in the dance track "My Love", and Yang Jiwon of Spica in the Yesterday music video.Hong, Lucia "Kim Kyu-jong to begin solo singing career with mini-album next week" 10 Asia. September 19, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011 The teaser video for "Yesterday" was released on September 22.Eun, Elizabeth "SS501's Kim Kyu Jong to Make Long-Awaited Comeback" Mnet News. September 19, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012
In October 2011, Kim Kyu Jong was cast in the 36-part weekend drama, Saving Madame Go Bong Shil on cable channel CSTV."SS501 member Kim Kyu Jong takes on a role in new drama, 'Saving Ajumma Go Bong Sil'" .Allkpop.Retrieved June 15, 2013. He played an aspiring musical actor named Nicky to mark his acting debut.Kim, Jessica f(x) "Luna, Kim Kyu-jong to make acting debut" 10 Asia. October 18, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2011 On November 9, 2011, he performed along with other Korean and Japanese artists at the Seoul Tokyo Music Festival 2011 at Saitama Super Arena, Japan.Hong, Lucia "Several K-pop artists to take part in music fest in Japan next month" 10 Asia. October 21, 2011. Retrieved October 26, 2011
2012-2013: "Meet Me Again" Album and Military duty
In June 2012, it was announced that Kim is to fulfill his mandatory military service in July. On June 3, he held his farewell fan meeting, Thank U ThanKYU with Triple S at Yonsei University in Sinchon-dong, Seoul. This marks his last official activity before his enlistment in July, as well as the first time in over two years that the five members of SS501 have gathered together. On July 23, Kim reported to the recruit training center of the 35th division in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province for four weeks of basic training. They further explained that he was originally exempted because he had a hepatitis B carrier. Since a change in conscription law, however, he was eligible to serve non-active duty as a public service worker.
On July 18, Kim released a limited edition mini-album Meet Me Again dedicated to his fans.Kim Kyu Jong. Meet Me Again. 2012. CD. It features three tracks including "Thank You" composed by Kim, himself and "One Luv", a duet with Mighty Mouth's Shorry J, composed by Tae Wan Kim aka C-Luv.
On March 9, Kim spent his free time attending Kim Hyung Jun's 1st solo concert, The First at the Woori Art Hall, Olympic Park, Seoul. He even went up to the stage with Kim Hyung Jun and bowed together, marking the end of the concert."SS501's Kyu Jong and Hyung Jun reunite at Hyung Jun's concert".Dkpopnews.Retrieved June 15, 2013.
During SS501's eighth anniversary, Kim, along with the SS501 members posted one video of them celebrating and greeting their fans on each of their own official YouTube accounts."SS501 celebrate their 8th anniversary together!".Allkpop.Retrieved June 15, 2013. Kim Hyun Joong was not able to be in the video at that time because he had a shooting in his variety show, Barefooted Friends."데뷔 8주년 SS501, 팬들에게 감사의 영상 메시지 전달 눈길 " .SportsSeoul.Retrieved June 15, 2013. However, Kim Hyun Joong still talked about their anniversary during his Korea fan meeting entitled 2013 KHJ Show - Party People, held on the same day of their anniversary.2013 KHJ Show - Party People. Seoul. 2013. Performance.
Kim attended Heo Young-saeng's first and farewell concert in Seoul entitled 2013 Heo Young Saeng Seoul Concert 0513 My Story on October 26 at the UNIQLO AX Hall. This time, all of the SS501 members appeared together on one stage and performed together as one group again after three years. They sang their self-written song dedicated to their fans, "Green Peas", and their a cappella version of the song, "In the Still of the Night".
2014-present: Military discharge, drama and musical comeback On July 22, 2014, exactly two years after being enlisted in the army, Kim Kyu Jong was officially discharged from his duties."SS501 김규종, 오늘(22일) 소집해제...팬들 곁으로". JoyNews24 via Naver. Retrieved July 27, 2014. At around 9:30 to 10 am,"SS501 김규종, 22일 오전 100팬 환영 속 소집해제 "귀가"". Star.mt. Retrieved July 27, 2014. he arrived at the military manpower office in Jeonbuk, Jeonju, and he was welcomed by the fans and press who waited for hours."SS501's Kim Kyu Jong officially discharged from military service". Allkpop. Retrieved July 27, 2014. Kim came back as part of KBSN's special project drama ‘S.O.S Please Save Me’ for the role of Park JungJun.KyuJong – KBSN Special Project Drama ‘S.O.S Please Save Me’ Casting Details Following this, he was cast at the 20th anniversary musical performance “Singin’ in the Rain for the role of DongHyun.SS501 Kim KyuJong, Crayon Pop's Way, Casted[sic] in Musical “Singin’ in the Rain” 20th Anniversary Musical Performance
Personal life During the time when Kim was still serving in the military service, updates about him were only known through his friends' Twitter updates and his personal handwritten letters to his fans to show his love and appreciation."Kim Kyu Jong writes letter to fans from military" Retrieved. February 16, 2013"SS501's Kim Kyu Jong writes a hand-written letter to his fans" Retrieved. February 16, 2013 To further show his acknowledgement towards his fans, it was revealed that he joined ThanKYU's (name of his fanclub) various donation activities. On February 1, Kyu Jong sent 14 woven hats that he and his mother had personally weaved during his spare time. Retrieved. February 16, 2013
Philanthropy